City Cast Chicago

4.8 (440)
DAILY NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm. Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022

10H AGO

Yes, CPS is Still Searching For a Permanent Leader. Plus, University DEI Changes

How close is the school board to selecting a permanent CPS CEO? Will the Aspira Charter network remain open through the school year? How are students reacting to ongoing DEI rollbacks across the University of Illinois system? Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by Chalkbeat Chicago’s Reema Amin and Chicago Reader’s Devyn-Marshall Brown to answer these questions and more. Plus, have you checked out the Chicago Reader’s Best of 2025 winners? Check out the best sober-focused music series and the best new club for queer and trans people getting started with strength training. Good news: DMB & The Etymology, Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, Miyagi Records Yard Sale Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this March 6 episode: Access Contemporary Music - Use promo code PIANO for 20% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

41 min
11H AGO · BONUS

You Might Also Like: Science Will Win

Introducing What Women Carry: Courage Through Cancer from Science Will Win. Follow the show: Science Will Win What women carry through cancer is more than a diagnosis. In our third episode of this miniseries, Dr. Raven Baxter explores how generations of women turned silence into advocacy and fear into progress, reshaping the perceptions and discussions around cancer over time. Through history, science, and a powerful story from Katrina M. Johnson — a woman who has lived through multiple breast cancer diagnoses and now advocates for others — the episode highlights how women continue to drive change in how cancer is understood, treated, and lived with. Featured guests: – Dr. Isaac Chan, Physician‑scientist and Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern – Kirsten Gardner, Director of Medical Humanities, University of Texas at San Antonio; Author – Katrina M. Johnson, Breast Cancer Patient; Director of Advocacy and Professional Relations, Pfizer Oncology Dive into the episode here: 00:00 – The start of three cancer diagnoses 02:06 – The history of breast cancer awareness campaigns 09:27 – How the mastectomy has changed 12:59 – Evolving research in breast cancer 15:10 – Breast cancer impacting body image and sexuality 19:29 – Emerging therapies to address breast cancer 21:18 – Addressing the BRCA gene today 23:30 – Breast cancer advocacy then and now 26:08 – Katrina's takeaways about her breast cancer story Check out our YouTube channel (@Pfizer) to watch the full interview with Raven & Katrina M. Johnson on her breast cancer journey. Season 6 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Dr. Raven Baxter. It’s produced by Acast Creative Studios. Hosts in this podcast series were compensated for their time. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.
1D AGO

New Stadium Breaks Ground, Gas Rate Hikes, and Our Favorite Marquees

Earlier this week, the Chicago Fire officially broke ground on the city’s first new stadium development in over 30 years. Host Jacoby Cochran and executive producer Simone Alicea discuss how neighbors are responding and the timeline for the 78 megadevelopment. Plus, they’re looking at proposed People’s Gas rate hikes and some of Chicago’s most iconic neon signs (and why there are fewer of them these days). Good news: LGBTQ Lunar New Year Dinner, Haymarket Sausage Fest, and Chicago Palestine Film Festival Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our daily newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this March 5 episode: Access Contemporary Music - Use promo code PIANO for 20% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

37 min
2D AGO

Closures We’re Watching, Attack Ads Heating Up, and Amazon Drones Are Coming

A Northwest Side charter network, an iconic South Side cleaners, and a North Side art museum all announced closures in recent weeks. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran dive into the details. Plus, attack ads are picking up in primary races, and Amazon delivery drones are coming to Chicago’s south suburbs. Good News: Women in Dance Festival, Farmdega at Monday coffee, 312 All Star Basketball Tournament, Winter Walk & Bonfire Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this March 4 episode: Access Contemporary Music – Use promo code PIANO for 20% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

38 min
3D AGO

Crime on CTA, Taxing Tourism, and Self-Driving Cars

There has been a lot of headlines in recent months about crime on the CTA following high profile incidents in late 2025, ongoing tension with the feds over the presence of cops on public transit, and an overall feeling that even after improvements in hirings and wait times, CTA still has a lot to do concerning rider experience and safety. Executive producer Simone Alicea and host Jacoby Cochran are discussing recent public transit crime statistics. Plus, the city council is proposing a new tourism improvement district, and listeners have thoughts on Waymo in Chicago. Good News: Annual Chicago Birthday Party Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this March 3 episode: Access Contemporary Music – Use promo code PIANO for 20% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

36 min
4D AGO

Your Guide To March in Chicago

March in Chicago means heading to the voting booth, dying the river green, and trying to stay optimistic about spring weather. Host Jacoby Cochran is joined by newsletter editor Emmi Mack and creator Paige Serena to talk about St. Patrick’s Day plans, even more restaurant weeks, and where to find pepper-and-egg sandwiches during Lent. Good News: Thalia Hall Free for All Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our Hey Chicago newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this March 2 episode: Access Contemporary Music — Use promo code PIANO for 20% off Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

37 min
5D AGO

'Your City Could Be Better': What Chicago Needs To Know About Pittsburgh's Plan To Fix Downtown

A lot of cities, including Chicago, are trying to figure out how best to revitalize downtown. It's an issue that's especially top of mind for Pittsburgh, who is hosting the NFL Draft in April. To solve the problem of vacant properties and empty storefronts, the city is trying out a new rent abatement program. So, City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Pittsburgh podcast host Megan Harris about why their downtown emptied out, whether this program will bring new businesses downtown for the long-term, and other revitalization plans that are in the works. Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

25 min
FEB 27

Waymo Cars in Chicago, Uncontested Judges, and Englewood Girl Scouts Sell 25k Cookies

Why are fewer than half of the county judicial races in this year’s primary elections uncontested? Where are Rev. Jackson’s homegoing services being held in Chicago? What’s going on with that fleet of Waymo cars parked in a downtown parking garage? We’re answering these questions and more with freelance writer Natalie Christian-Frazier and Block Club Chicago’s Jamie Nesbitt Golden. Plus, we are showing love to Kennedy-King’s iconic radio station, North Lawndale’s Peace Runners 773, and Englewood’s Girl Scout troop. Want some more City Cast Chicago news? Then make sure to sign up for our newsletter. Follow us @citycastchicago You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 773 780-0246 Learn more about the sponsors of this Feb. 27 episode: Steppenwolf Theatre Griffin MSI Access Contemporary Music – Use promo code PIANO for 20% off South By Southwest – Unlock a 10% discount on your Innovation Badge when you use code citycast10 Become a member of City Cast Chicago. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE

36 min

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TRAILER

Join the Chicago Conversation

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm.

03/11/2021

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2 min

4.8

out of 5

440 Ratings

Good Journalism

07/01/2025

Lower line

This is a great way to be aware of what’s going on in the city of Chicago and also learn about events in the city that you can participate in
A blind spot

Jan 30

Many Thoughts 123

How is Israel “imperial in nature” (heard on the 1/29/26 episode)? What is the empire you are referring to? I like this podcast for its local coverage but I have noticed on the rare occasion whenever something related to Israel/antisemitism comes up the host reveals a glaring ignorance. Of course you can criticize Israel, but saying in passing that it’s “imperial” is an inaccurate statement that you should be able to back up. Similarly, when you dismiss the IHRA definition of antisemitism as being overly restrictive of criticism of Israel and less about protecting Jewish students, I would like to hear concrete data or at least a reading out of the IHRA definition and its guidelines to back those statements up. Otherwise, it is hard to understand your coverage on this subject as objective.
Love City Cast, but not pod save america

12/26/2024

TR Punk

I love the City Cast podcast but they keep promoting the awful pod save bros on my podcast feed.
Great Pod but

02/21/2025

J. C. L.

Feb 21’s show on this ad free version of the podcast had multiple ads. What gives?

Chicago’s daily news podcast, fresh every weekday morning. Host Jacoby Cochran brings you timely conversations with news and culture makers; activists and artists; bus drivers and students; those who love and hate this place. City Cast Chicago is a smart and delightful new way to connect with the city we share. Learn more and subscribe to our newsletter at chicago.citycast.fm. Named Best Podcast by Chicago Reader 2022